LAKE COUNTY – Following action on March 25 by the Lake County Board of Supervisors, the Lake County Mandatory Vessel Inspection Sticker Program is set to begin April 8 and requires all vessels to have inspection stickers prior to launching into any Lake County water body.

A special interim program has been developed for Lake County residents who own or operate registered or unregistered vessels located in Lake County. This special program will enable residents to obtain an inspection sticker at no cost.

This no-cost inspection sticker program for local residents will be available beginning April 8 through June 30. Stickers will be available beginning April 8, and are valid through Dec. 31.

The eligibility for an inspection sticker will be determined through a simple call-in process, designed to make it convenient for local residents to obtain a sticker.

Inspection stickers are required prior to launching any vessel in Lake County water bodies and are not mandatory until just prior to launch. Any resident whose boat is currently in storage and who does not plan to take that boat out for several weeks does not require a sticker now; the sticker only will be required prior to launching. Thus, those residents may consider waiting a week or two to get their stickers after the initial rush for stickers (but before June 30 when the no-cost program ends).

As part of this call-in process, every resident who owns a vessel will be asked a few simple questions and then will be asked to complete, sign, and return an affidavit agreeing to comply with the clean-vessel policy. Once the signed affidavit is received, the inspection sticker will be issued.

During the initial call, it may be determined that a physical inspection of the vessel is required in order to obtain an inspection sticker. In that case, residents will be provided details on where to go for the inspection, which during this initial period also is free to residents.

For registered vessels, stickers must be affixed on the port (or left) side of the vessel, 6 inches in front of the registration number (CF#). For unregistered vessels such as kayaks and canoes, stickers must be affixed in a prominent location toward the front, and preferably port side, of the vessel. Owners of vessels such as seaplanes will be instructed as to acceptable alternate display locations.

Proof of residency in Lake County and proof of vessel registration (when applicable) in Lake County will be required for participation in this special program. Any resident who takes their vessel out of Lake County is required to have the vessel re-inspected when they return to Lake County.

To begin the call-in process, local residents may call one of the following locations, beginning April 8, through June 30:

• The Lake County Visitor Center at 274-5652 during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

• The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce at 994-3600, during the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

• The Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce at 263-5092 during the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' ACTION

This program has been set forth upon the approval of an urgency ordinance by the Lake County Board of Supervisors on March 25, to protect the water bodies of Lake County from the significant and imminent threat posed by invasive quagga and zebra mussel infestation. Effective immediately, this ordinance:

• Requires a mandatory inspection for any water vessel prior to launching in a Lake County water body, beginning April 8. This applies to all motorized and nonmotorized vessels including boats, kayaks, canoes, jet skis, inflatable rafts, etc.

• Establishes the first phase of an inspection program, which includes a special interim program for local vessels to obtain inspection stickers at no cost beginning April 8, through June 30.

• Bans the disposal of live bait and any liquid that contains or has contained live bait into Lake County water bodies.

All vessels coming in from outside of Lake County will be required to go through an inspection process prior to receiving an inspection sticker.

ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED

Local resort owners are being encouraged to attend training to become a courtesy boat monitor and/or a certified inspector, in order to be able to provide this mandatory vessel inspection service to their guests.

Volunteers are a critical part of the program and will be needed in a variety of roles, including telephone screeners, courtesy boat monitors and certified boat inspectors, and more.

For information about this program – including the limited-time no-cost sticker program for residents – go online to the Lake County Mussel Web Site at: www.co.lake.ca.us/mussels.

For specific questions or to volunteer to help, please call the Lake County Mussel Hotline at 707-263-2556.

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